I don't mean to hijack this thread but have people found staking down a tent to be problematic along the JMT? I'm making a custom tarp tent and just figured I'd be able to find spots along the way. All the pictures I've seen seem to have plenty of soft ground.

JMT in 2002 and 2012, no problems staking out a TT virga and a MLD tarp/serenity shelter. When I slept just north of Muir pass due to an incoming thunder storm, it was a bit more difficult, but certainly nothing for me to choose an entirely different shelter.

I will be hiking the JMT with a Borah side zip bivy and a tarp, but if taking a tent I'd take my Spitfire 1. With only the necessary 4 stakes and using Needle Stakes the weight is an acceptable (to me) 2 lb 9 oz. Since I don't like trekking poles I would have to consider the weight of the poles in the weight of the tarp tents often recommended. At under $100 it is a good value and I do not expect to ever "outgrow it" for those trips where I want a tent. I actually like it better than a lot of the tents that cost 3 times as much.

Matt: believe me, there are plenty of rocks everywhere in the Sierra to anchor your stakes, when it comes to that. I mean, within fifteen feet of your intended campsite--at altitude, where this whole scenario comes into play. It's just not a problem. A small mound of three or four stones will hold your stakes as well as plunging them into soft earth. At least, that's my experience. But yes, it might add ten minutes to your pitching time.

I use a Big Agnes tent that requires 10(!) stakes--two versions over 7 years. I've never had a problem staking these tents out in the Sierra.

Oh sure. I have no problems with getting creative with some rocks. I just found the original comment at bit odd since staking a tarp doesn't appear to be an issue from the pictures I've seen. That's all :-)

When I seam seal tents in my bedroom to me they become 2/4/6/8 brick tents.The Moment is a two brick tent , that is it stands up with one brick each over the ends, the Notch needs 4.The Moment is heavier but has its own pole and a larger floor area, the Notch has a smaller floor but larger vestibules.Both can have the inner (bug net) set up by it self but you get good views ,particularly with the Notch, with the fly on and both sides open.You can of course use rocks with many shelters but because of the end "triangle' set up it is a lot easier with these two than some .The guylines on the Notch are not all that fussy about where you put them.

+1 for the Tarptent Notch. With both vestibules fully open it is almost tarp-like but with that oh-so-sweet full bug protection.Full Disclosure: I think the MSR Hubba is a nearly perfect tent design, it's just too heavy. The Notch is 90-95% Hubba flavor, 50% less fat.

As long as the ridgeline is staked/guyed out securely, the Lighheart is very sturdy. On the inside, the trekking poles don't stand straight up they angle inwards from bottom to top, forming more of an arch or triangle that holds up well structurally.

I'm glad the issue of staking was brought up - I, too, had heard that there are difficult areas along the JMT to stake a tent and was trying to take that into consideration in picking a tent. The rock solution seems like the way to go, and there are no shortage of rocks up there (in the areas where staking may be difficult) - so easy fix!

So, after seemingly endless debate - I ended up going with the Lightheart Gear Solo. I might have done the SMD Trekker - but they were out of stock and I didn't want to wait - but overall, after watching videos and reading reviews, I think this was definitely the right buy for me! Can't wait to get it and try it out!